Competitions, raffles, bingo and other charitable games

Art unions, raffles, bingo, lucky envelopes, Calcutta sweeps and promotional games (trade promotions or competitions) are regulated under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999.

Under the Act, these different games are broken into categories, some of which require a licence.

Category 1 games

• Includes raffles (art unions), sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
• Gross proceeds are not more than $2,000
• The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
• Can be conducted by a non-profit association and, in limited cases, an individual
• Read the Guide to category 1 games up to $2000 (total ticket sales)
• Does not require a licence

Category 2 games

• Includes raffles, sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
• Gross proceeds are more than $2,000 but not more than $50,000
• The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
• Can be conducted by an eligible non-profit association
• If a club is an 'eligible association' it can conduct raffles up to $50,000 without any licence, permit or permit number. See section 10 of the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (PDF, 550KB) for meaning of 'eligible association'
• Read the Guide to category 2 games - Gross proceeds more than $2,000 but not more than $50,000 (total ticket sales)
• Does not require a licence

Category 3 games

• Includes raffles or art unions
• Gross proceeds are more than $50,000
• Can be conducted by an eligible incorporated non-profit association
• A licence number must be printed on all category 3 games where the ticket sales are estimated to exceed $50,000
• The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
• Read the Guide to category 3 games - Gross proceeds more than $50,000 (total ticket sales)
• Requires a category 3 gaming licence

Special category 3 games

• Must be a person intending to conduct a single art union for the welfare or benefit of individuals who need help because of a disaster or a disadvantaged individual
• Gross proceeds are more than $5,000
• Requires a special category 3 gaming licence

Category 4 promotional games (trade promotions)

• These are free entry draws conducted to promote goods or services
• Any person may conduct a promotional game; however, they are normally conducted by businesses to promote the sale of products
• Read the Guide to category 4 promotional games
• Does not require a licence

Bingo centres

• A bingo centre is where 2 or more eligible associations conduct, between them, more than 25 bingo sessions each week
• Requires a bingo centre licence

Lucky envelopes

• Lucky envelopes are a type of pre-determined lottery. They are sold as 'break-open' type tickets where the correct combination of numbers/letters/pictures on the tickets produces a winner
• Lucky envelopes can be conducted by an eligible association
• An eligible association must not sell lucky envelopes unless the envelopes have been printed under a licence
• Requires a lucky envelopes printer's licence

Tipping competitions

• Can be conducted by an individual or an association
• All proceeds must be returned to the players as prizes
• Does not require a licence

Legislation

Charitable and non-profit gaming operates under the following legislation:

• Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (PDF, 550KB)
• Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Regulation 1999 (PDF, 362KB)
• Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Rule 2010.

Licence applications and fact sheets

Download licence application forms, fact sheets and other resources related to charitable and non-profit gaming.

Resource manuals

• Queensland responsible gambling resource manual: Charitable and non-profit
• Queensland responsible gambling resource manual: Bingo

Code of practice

• Queensland responsible code of practice
• Fact sheet: Rights and responsibilities (Queensland responsible code of practice)

Also consider...

• Check the fees and charges for Queensland gaming licensing.
• Learn more about hosting poker tournaments on licensed premises.
• Learn more about hosting 'funny money' nights on licensed premises.